⚓ FREE BOAT · BIG DREAMS · ZERO EXPERIENCE  •  Every shirt buys a bolt. We need a LOT of bolts.  •  Help Float the Boat 🚤  •  New chaos on YouTube @rookiecaptain  •  Sunk happens. Not on our watch (hopefully). ⚓

About

James in a yellow sou'wester in the cabin

Hi, I’m James. The Rookie.

I’m a first-time boat owner who said yes to a free 33-foot Chris-Craft before I knew what I was getting into. I have zero boating experience, a boat that came in pieces, and a camera.

The Rookie Captain is about the journey: every repair, every mistake, every small win — shared honestly and with a lot of laughs. If you’re a new boater, a dreamer, or someone who just likes watching a guy argue with a battery terminal, welcome aboard.

“I don’t know what I’m doing — and that’s the whole point. If I can figure this out, anyone can.”

The site, the merch and the guides all help fund getting this boat in the water. Thanks for being part of the crew.